Nut-lock



(No Model.)

JABRYAN. NUT LOCK.

No. 427,040. Patented May 6, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES A. BRYAN, OF NEW BERNE, NORTH CAROLINA.

NUT-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,040, dated May 6, 1890.

Application led February 13, 1890. Serial No. 340,315. (No model.)

. zen of the Unitedv States, residing at New Berne, in the county of Craven and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut-Looks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the saine.

This invention relates to nut-locks; and it consists in the novel construction and conn bination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed. p

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of the nut-lock, showing it applied to the ishplate bolts of a rail-joint. Fig. 2 is an endv View of the nut-lock, showing the rail in crosssection. Fig. 3 is a'detail plan view of the Washer-plate.

A is the rail, B are the fish-plates, and C are the fish-plate bolts provided with nuts c. All of these parts are of ordinary approved Construction.

D is a washer-plate, provided with holes d, which are slipped over the `ends of the bolts before the nuts are screwed upon them. E are similar ratchet Wheels, provided with flanges e, and with shallow recesses e for the nuts to fit into.

F is a post secured to the washer-plate D between the bolt-holes, and provided with the vertical slot f.

G is a double-ended spring provided with a central rectangular portion g, adapted to engage with the slot f in the post F. The spring is first dropped into position in the slot, and the ratchet-Wheels are then slid upon the ends of the bolts. The ratchet-wheels both have their teethinclined in the same direction. One end of the spring engages with the teeth at the top of one ratchet-wheel, while the other end of the spring engages with the teeth at the bottom of the other ratchet-Wheel.' The flanges e bear sidewise against the extreme end portions of the double spring, and prevent the central portion of it from coming out of the slot in the post. The spring is secured without special screws and without making any hole through it, and it can be taken out of the slot and another substituted for it with great facility. are screwed upon the ends of the bolts and slip into the shallow recesses in the ratchetwheels when nearly screwed up. The' nuts turn the ratchet-wheels as soon as they engage with said recesses, and are prevented from becoming unscrewed by the double spring. The ends of the spring are forced back clear of the ratchet-teeth by hand when it is desired to remove the nuts.

In a nut-lock, the combination,with the washer-plate provided with a vertically-slotted post, of the two ratchet-wheels provided with flanges and with recesses for the nuts to engage with, and the double-ended spring provided with a rectangular central portion and removably supported in the said slotted post, and retained in position by the said ratchet-wheel ilanges, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

` JAMES A. BRYAN.

Witnesses:

HERBERT W. T. JENNER, PHILIP MAURO.

The nuts y 

